I always like to do a post early in the year that looks forward to some of the books I’m most excited about on the horizon in 2015, helps me get pumped for the year and also try to make a mental note of all the projects I’m looking out for. I was ready with my list the first week of January but opted to wait to hear what news came out of Image Expo as they’ve had some truly exciting stuff in the last couple years, this year was no exception and added some great looking titles to my “must haves” list.

All that said, it was a bit hard to predict what I’m most excited about from Marvel and DC because their events (Secret Wars and Convergence, respectively) are even more potentially “line changing” and mysterious than usual. So keeping in mind that that accounts for a likely decreased number of books from both publishers on the list…let’s get going! I organized this by month and then for stuff that has nebulous release dates more a “going forward in 2015” category.

With the very cool news that Terry Moore’s Rachel Rising has been optioned for television (and that could be a great show that I would LOVE to see) I started thinking about other indie properties (most with complex female characters) I’d love to see optioned for television as either an ongoing or a mini-series. With the advent of shortened series – Netflix’s House of Cards, AMC’s Mad Men, Breaking Bad, and The Killing all run only 13 episodes (typically) – we’re seeing a rash of new thinking in quality over quantity, which is good for a lot of comic book properties with world building or effects issues. Most of the best shows out there right now run short seasons: Showtime’s Homeland has 12 per season. Game of Thrones and Newsroom are only 10! The Walking Dead began with a 6-episode half season, then moved to a “full” 13, and for its last season delivered 16 – but still short of the formerly typical 22-episode season. Add to that a rash of recent high-quality mini-series like HBO’s six-part Mildred Pierce or Sundance’s 7-part Top of The Lake and we’re in a really interesting period of television where we’re seeing a huge uptick in great TV that equal some bold choices in both content and in the way that content is delivered. All of it makes me optimistic that smart comics properties that might have been a tough sell even a couple years ago might be more viable now. So what are five at the top of my list? Glad you asked!

Inside this episode! We have an advance review of Brian K. Vaughan and Fiona Staples Saga #7 and Greg Rucka and Matthew Southworth’s Stumptown #1. We then have Maddy back for good old times! We do another HODGEPODGE talk this week and then Sue gives us a chick of the week that just got her own book! Katana! Ooh! And don’t forget to vote in the finals for the DC WOMEN KICKING ASS Most Kickass DC Woman Tournament! – Listen after the credits break for the finalists (and for me being a baby)!

Inside this episode! We have an advance review of Greg Rucka and Matthew Southworth’s Stumptown #1 and Matt Fraction and David Aja’s Hawkeye #2. We then have an awesome interview with Greg Rucka talking about Stumptown, Lazarus, Punisher, his time at DC – including the scoop on what actually caused him to leave DC, the new Wonder Woman pilot, and everything else we can think of! Chick of The Week this week is a long overlooked lady who is having a hard time in recent months at DC – Lois Lane!

Here are the breaks:

Stumptown #1 – 01:00

Hawkeye #2 – 08:43

Greg Rucka Interview – 24:15

Chick of The Week (plus Wonder Woman talk and a few other goodies) – 108:48

Yes, it’s time for the Mother of All Con Reports! No panel coverage, no breaking news, no fascinating interviews – just stories from the convention trenches! See: Superheroes struggle to text! Read about: The man with no sunglasses! Behold: Your humble author’s clothing! Nothing is sacred, not even the reputation of our newly-minted Eisner-award-winning Grand Poobah!Continue Reading »

Let’s just get it out of the way – yes. Yes, it was great – one of the best comics I’ve read in months. But I had to go back and read the first three over again to remember what happened 17 weeks ago in issue #3. Are all fans – even those that loved the story thus far – devoted enough to wait, to dig out books for re-reads, and perhaps as I had to do – hunt down new issues with such an irregular shipping schedule?